Ancient genes hide in Tibetan DNA

It’s no secret that Tibetan people are supremely well-adapted to high-altitude living. However, the origin of the genes that make them so has proved a mystery. Now, scientists have traced one important gene back to an extinct group of early human relatives, the Denisovans. Learn more in my story for the LA Times.

A herding camp at 16,000 feet near the base of Mt. Everest, on the Tibetan side. (Credit: Julia Rosen)